Islamic Council says fasting begins Wednesday

Islamic Council says fasting begins Wednesday National Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has called on Muslims in the country to look for new crescent of Ramadan today (Monday) towards commencement of fasting, The NSCIA, in a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Is-haq Oloyede, however, said if the crescent was not sighted on Monday, the Tarawih prayer would be observed on Tuesday for the fasting to commence on Wednesday. The statement reads in part: “In accordance with the Prophetic tradition, Muslims all over Nigeria are hereby urged to look for the new crescent of Ramadan on Monday, July 8 2013 CE (which corresponds to 29th day of Sha‘ban, 1434 AH). “To this effect, members of the National Moon Sighting Committee have been deployed with appropriate gadgets to various parts of the country for easy sighting of the moon.” It said, however, that other individuals who are able to sight the crescent should contact appropriate authorities namely: The President-General of NSCIA and the Sultan of Sokoto , Deputy President-General (North) of the NSCIA and the Shehu of Borno, Deputy President-General (South) of the NSCIA and Aare Musulumi of Yoruba Land, Emir of Gwandu and all other Emirs, Lamido of Adamawa, Esu Nupe and Otaru of Auchi. Others are Deputy Secretary-General(South) of NSCIA (Sheikh Adam Idoko), President of the League of Imams and Alfas in Yoruba Land, Chief Imam of Osogbo, Baba Adini of Lagos, Sheikh Hafiz Abou, and Chairman, National Moon Sighting Committee, Hafis Wali. The statement further reads: “Where the authorities are satisfied that the crescent has been duly sighted, The President-General and Sultan of Sokoto would announce the commencement of the fast. However, if the crescent is not sighted on Monday, the Tarawih prayer should be observed on Tuesday the 9th of July for the commencement of Ramadan on the 10th of July whether or not it is sighted on that Tuesday.” Forwad to all Muslim.